Are you feeling unsure about how things are going with your current personal trainer? If so, here are 5 common reasons why things may not be working, and some ideas for how to fix the situation so that you feel more positive.

Vague goal setting

When you are planning a life change, it’s vitally important that you understand what your goals are. This is an involved process that requires you envisioning what you want to achieve. The on-boarding process with a personal trainer should be setting these goals. If you are unsure of what you want to achieve, your trainer can help you to find your goals and set them.

If you and your trainer didn’t go through this process, and you are now feeling a bit lost and unsure of where things are heading, you can turn things around. Take some time to find your goals and really cement them in your mind. If you are unsure of how to do this, HERE is an article to help you on your way.

Once you have these goals set, you can communicate them to your trainer. They can then tailor your programme to reflect what you want to achieve.

Lack of momentum

Momentum is a huge part of making a life change. Getting started can feel difficult, but once you are in the swing of things, things feel automatic (provided the goal setting process has been done properly, and your trainer has written you an appropriate programme). If you let yourself get into a routine, set sessions with your trainer, and commit to showing up, things will begin to feel easier and you will make tangible progress. So much about getting fit is showing up.

So, if you tell your trainer that you will commit to 3 sessions a week, and regularly cancel, your progress will inevitably stall. Your trainer will have written a programme based on that commitment. If you regularly fail to show up, it will be difficult for your trainer to see the programme through. It will feel very stop/ start, and you will always feel as though you are starting over. You won’t see the progress you want, and you will feel rubbish about it.

Showing up for your sessions is so important. Obviously, life happens, and sometimes you have to reschedule sessions, (you absolutely mustn’t beat yourself up if you miss a workout for good reasons) but if it’s a regular thing, you just won’t progress. Most trainers will also charge you if you cancel with less than 24 hours notice too, so it can get expensive.

If you need some thoughts on how to stick to an exercise schedule, HERE is an article that may help.

Lack of variety or balance

Your body likes variety, and needs a range of challenges to keep it working and improving. Your mind also needs variety, so that you don’t feel stagnant. You shouldn’t be going to your training sessions and feeling as though every session is the same, or questioning whether your trainer has planned your session in advance. Your programme should include a range of elements, including cardio, strength, and flexibility.

Everyone is different, and everyone requires a different balance of elements. If, for example, you are very inflexible and your trainer feels that this is going to stop you from performing certain movements effectively or with good technique, they would be doing you a service by focusing on flexibility. That does not mean, however, that you should ONLY be doing flexibility work for weeks on end, unless you specifically ask for that, or your trainer has given you good reason for it.

Your trainer is responsible for keeping your workouts interesting, effective, and balanced, whatever the challenges involved. If you aren’t sure that your trainer is covering a range of training types with you, it is important to ask why.

Lack of communication

When you sign up with a personal trainer, you are entering into a partnership, and any successful partnership requires communication and continual feedback. It’s vital that you feel comfortable talking to your trainer, that you find your sessions are informative and educational, and that you don’t feel hesitant to bring up anything that is concerning you. If you don’t feel that the door is open for that kind of conversation, you won’t be able to get the maximum benefit of having a personal trainer.

Training sessions can be challenging – you are often vulnerable, and it is really important that you feel looked after and supported as you go through the process of change. If you don’t feel able to talk to your trainer openly, or feel at all uncomfortable, it may not be the right fit for you.

Philosophical Differences

Most of the time, with some open and honest communication, you and your trainer will be able to solve any existing issues and move forward in a positive way. Often, all it takes is an open chat and an willingness on both sides to make improvements to get things back on track.

Occasionally, however, the fit just isn’t right. It’s a very personal relationship involving lots of 1:1 time, and sometimes, it just doesn’t click. If you feel that is the case, don’t hesitate to be truthful with both yourself and your trainer, and give yourself the option to move on. There are many reasons why you may not be the right fit for each other, and it happens! There are lots of personal trainers, and only one of you, so finding the right one may require some experimentation. Basically, it's like dating 🙂

Finally, if you aren’t feeling sure about how things are going with your trainer, remember that YOU are the client. You have every right to bring it up, to make sure that you are getting the service that you want, and to feel confident that your time and money is being well spent.

So, there you have it! I hope this helps you to create the perfect relationship with your existing trainer, or to find the courage to move on if you don’t feel that it’s working. If you decide that it's time to move on, and need some advice on how to look for a new trainer, HERE are some tips to help you 🙂